How to Shoot Fireworks: a Manual on How to Keep Your Digits and Your Sanity

Some of the most exciting images we shoot are night photographs. Some of the most amazing night photos are of fireworks. I'd like to share with you some tips on making beautiful fireworks photos this Fourth of July weekend.

Below is are a few suggestions for making your firework photos memorable.

Stabilize Your Camera

A good tripod is the best tool for steadying your camera. However, if you don't have one or if your friend lost it in a recent move or on a trip to the Grand Canyon, other options are available to you. Inexpensive Gorilla Pods can be purchased at a local camera shop. You could also try using a bean bag or even use a jacket resting on the ground to support your camera.

Long exposures are near-impossible to hand-hold and require having the camera steady to get sharp images.

Cable Release or Wireless Remote Trigger

There are a couple of culprits responsible for blurry images, one is lack of good focus and another is camera shake. Since you will use a tripod, consider the benefits of using a remote cable or wireless shutter release. You see, when making long exposures the simple act of pressing the shutter release button can cause shake. Fortunately, you can use a cable release or wireless shutter release to fire the camera without touching it. A wireless option may be available for your camera and is great for making group portraits when want to be in the picture.

To see if your camera accepts cable release or wireless trigger, check the Accessories section of your camera manual. [if you lost your manual, try searching the internet of your camera model].

If you discover that your camera does not accept a cable or wireless release, don't fret there's another option. Use the self-timer with a 2-second delay. The art of using a 2-second delay is one of patience and repetition. I assure you, that once you get the timing just right, you'll have envy-generating photos.

Composition: Foreground Objects

Don't forget that fireworks are used in celebration. Fireworks by themselves can be uniquely beautiful, but don't forget to compose your images with foreground elements: people, buildings, pets, to enhance your photograph's impact.

Reaction Shots

If you're shooting the fireworks near a crowd of people, remember to turn around every once in while and photograph people's reactions. Children are in complete awe of fireworks; their reactions are priceless. Since bedtime is early, go to an early show to capture these types of photographs. Offer to share the photos with their parents, they'll thank you for it.

Incorporating subjects in the foreground increase interest.

Technical Aspects: Focus, Shutter Speed, Aperture and ISO

Exposure Mode

Use Manual Mode on the Exposure Dial.
Night Photography is a particular problem for your camera's auto settings. Even Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority modes can get confused by the difference between the dark sky and the subsequent illumination of bursting fireworks. It's just best to control all the exposure functions of the camera yourself. The following guidelines will show you how to set your camera for night photography.

ISO

Since high ISO's cause digital noise (in film it's called graininess), you want to keep the ISO pretty low, about 100-200.

Image Stabilization

Image Stabilization (IS for Canon) or Vibration Reduction (VR for Nikon) can save your photos when you're shooting handheld at slow shutter speeds. But when it comes to shooting night photography on a tripod, this technology can cause inexplicable blur. Make sure to turn it OFF. Blur explained.

Focus

You will notice that focusing the camera at night is very, VERY difficult. At night the camera's autofocus will help you miss lots of great explosions. If you know where the fireworks are coming from, pre-focus on something on that same Focus Plane. Once you set the focus, shift the focus mode to Manual Focus (M or MF, on the lens barrel for Canon and Nikon).

This will keep your auto-focus from trying to engage when you try to take your photos.
Since your digital camera has the ability to review our images and magnify the photo to check for focus. Use these tools. During your shooting, make sure to check your images for focus. There's no bigger frustration that coming home excited about your new photos and finding that they're out-of-focus. Check Focus, Check Focus, Check Focus.

Shutter Speed

Your shutter speed will be governed by the duration of the fireworks. Remember, in order to get a complete bloom, the shutter has to be open from before the firework is launched through to the final traces of the "flowering". Shutter Speeds will generally be around 8-10 seconds. This number can be changed as you discover that your exposures are too long or too short.

The display in your camera will show seconds with quotes; 10" is ten-seconds. Alternately, when the display shows 1/10 or 10 your exposure is set to one-tenth of a second. You'd be surprised at how much this little tip can alleviate frustration.

Aperture

Since the duration of the firework governs the Shutter Speed, I use Aperture to control the overall brightness/darkness of the image.
Try starting at f/8.

If the photo is too dark, "Open Up" the aperture (smaller f-number), this will allow more light into the camera making the images brighter.
If the photos are too bright, try "Stopping Down" (larger f-number).

Where's that Lens Cap Go?

Since you'll be shooting in the dark, finding stuff that you drop becomes difficult. Make sure to put your lens cap somewhere you can find it; your pants pocket (every time) or in your camera bag. Carry a flashlight, it may be the difference between having a wonderful evening and going insane.

Practice these techniques before the big event. Find the camera, charge the batteries, make room on your memory cards and dust off the tripod. Shoot night photography around the neighborhood and find out what works. Practice makes perfect.

If you need more help learning about your camera and would like to take a class, you'll be happy to know that we have regularly-scheduled classes every month.
Visit http://www.IlluminateWorkshops.com

Happy Independence Day and Happy Shooting,
Efrain Cruz